Barrio Judío

The Barrio Judío is a historic neighborhood in Hervás made up of narrow streets and old houses built from wood and adobe bricks stacked along hillside slopes. The buildings showcase traditional craftsmanship with chestnut wood, adobe, and granite, many still retaining their original structures from centuries past.

The first recorded mention of the Jewish community in Hervás comes from 1454, when about 45 families lived there and paid taxes to local authorities. Following 1492, Jews were expelled from Spain, with some moving to Portugal and others converting to Christianity to remain in the town.

Street names like Sinagoga and Rabilero recall the Jewish community that lived here from the 13th century until 1492. The narrow passages and old houses show how the neighborhood looked and how people of different backgrounds shared this space over centuries.

The neighborhood features steep winding streets and uneven pathways that require walking on foot to explore properly. Comfortable shoes are recommended since routes climb and descend through narrow passages and sloped terrain.

Among converted Jews, a brotherhood was established that secretly kept their traditions alive and later became a Catholic fraternity serving the community. This group helped many families maintain their identity while officially belonging to the Christian faith.